Thanksgiving Football Trivia Challenge

Thanksgiving football trivia is the perfect way to settle that annual family argument over who knows the most about America’s favorite sport. It’s also an excellent distraction when Uncle Bob starts explaining, for the fourth consecutive year, why his fantasy football team should be undefeated.

Thanksgiving has given football fans some spectacular memories. Randy Moss once caught three passes for three touchdowns. O.J. Simpson rushed for an astonishing 273 yards and still lost. And Leon Lett became a household name for doing something he’d probably prefer the household forget.

Some of my best Thanksgivings have involved watching the Lions and Cowboys in their respective Turkey Day games.

Welcome to the Ultimate Thanksgiving Football Trivia Challenge, featuring 100 questions covering NFL history, famous players, unforgettable games, bizarre football moments, and the 2026 Thanksgiving schedule.

We’ve divided the challenge into 10 rounds of 10 questions. Some are easy enough for the youngest football fan at the table. Others might stump someone who still owns a complete collection of NFL Films VHS tapes.

Grab a pencil, assemble your family, and prepare to discover who really knows football.

The winner gets bragging rights. The loser gets the wishbone.

How to Play the Thanksgiving Football Trivia Challenge

Here are the rules. They’re considerably easier to understand than the NFL’s catch rule.

• Play individually or divide the family into teams.
• Each correct answer earns one point.
• Complete all 10 questions in a round before checking the answers.
• No Googling, texting friends, or consulting the family fantasy football commissioner.
• Award a bonus point for a particularly entertaining wrong answer, if everyone agrees.
• Keep score through all 10 rounds.
• In the event of a tie, arm wrestling is discouraged. A coin toss is acceptable, provided Jerome Bettis isn’t involved.

The scoring system:

• 90–100 points: Pro Football Hall of Fame material. Canton awaits.
• 75–89 points: All-Pro. You know your football and probably your neighbor’s statistics.
• 60–74 points: Solid starter. You’re a welcome addition to any Thanksgiving trivia team.
• 40–59 points: Practice-squad potential. Keep studying the playbook.
• 20–39 points: You’re here for the stuffing.
• 0–19 points: Congratulations! You’ve apparently never watched football, but we appreciate your enthusiasm.

Let’s play!

Round 1: Easy Thanksgiving Football Trivia Questions

The Appetizer Round

We’re starting with some relatively easy football trivia questions. Think of this as the cranberry sauce of the competition: familiar, pleasant, and unlikely to cause serious disagreement.

Unless somebody insists cranberry sauce should come out of a can.

Questions

1. Which two NFL teams traditionally host Thanksgiving Day football games?
2. In what city do the Detroit Lions play their home games?
3. What Texas city is home to the Dallas Cowboys?
4. On what day of the week is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
5. How many NFL games are scheduled for Thanksgiving Day itself in 2026?
6. How many points is a touchdown worth before any extra-point attempt?
7. How many points does a successful field goal earn?
8. How many quarters are played in a regulation NFL game?
9. How many points does the defensive team earn for a safety?
10. How many points is a successful kicked extra point worth?

Discover our Football Terms and Definitions to learn more about America’s most popular sport.

Round 1 Answers

1. Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. They’re Thanksgiving’s permanent dinner guests. Nobody even bothers asking whether they’re coming.
2. Detroit, Michigan. The Motor City has been the traditional home of Thanksgiving football since 1934.
3. Dallas, Texas. Home of the Cowboys, enormous television audiences, and fans who believe every season could end with a Super Bowl.
4. Thursday. Specifically, the fourth Thursday of November.
5. Three. The familiar Thanksgiving tripleheader continues in 2026.
6. Six points. The touchdown is football’s main course.
7. Three points. Unless it’s your team’s kicker attempting the field goal with two seconds remaining. Then it feels like your entire life is at stake.
8. Four quarters. Fifteen minutes each, for 60 minutes of regulation football. Actual television time? That’s another question entirely.
9. Two points. A safety is worth two points and can be one of the more embarrassing ways to end an offensive possession.
10. One point. Which explains why the extra point is sometimes called the PAT: point after touchdown.

Round 1 score: _____ / 10

If you got all 10, excellent. If you missed the question about touchdowns, the family might want to check your driver’s license.

Round 2: Thanksgiving NFL History Trivia Questions

The History Before the Gravy Round

Football and Thanksgiving go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. But the relationship is older than most people realize.

The NFL was playing Thanksgiving games in its infancy. Detroit eventually turned the holiday into a national football tradition, thanks to an ambitious team owner who understood the power of publicity.

These 10 questions explore how it all began.

Questions

11. In what year did the Detroit Lions begin their Thanksgiving Day football tradition?
12. Which NFL team faced Detroit in that first Thanksgiving game?
13. Who won the first Lions Thanksgiving game in 1934, and what was the final score?
14. What was the name of the Lions owner who established Detroit’s Thanksgiving tradition?
15. Before moving to Detroit, the Lions franchise was known by what unusual team name?
16. In which state did the Portsmouth Spartans play before moving to Detroit?
17. Which Detroit professional sports team was the Lions’ main competition for local attention in 1934?
18. Approximately how many radio stations carried the nationally broadcast Lions–Bears Thanksgiving game in 1934?
19. At which stadium was Detroit’s inaugural Thanksgiving game played?
20. Which team did Detroit defeat 14–2 on Thanksgiving in 1935, helping the Lions clinch their division title?

Learn more about the history of football in America.

Round 2 Answers

11. 1934. Detroit’s Thanksgiving tradition began during the team’s first season in the Motor City.
12. Chicago Bears. The defending NFL champions were the guests of honor. They weren’t particularly gracious guests.
13. Chicago Bears, 19–16. The Lions lost the game but won something more enduring: a holiday tradition.
14. George A. Richards. A radio executive and clever promoter, Richards recognized that Thanksgiving football could put his new team on the national map.
15. Portsmouth Spartans. Not a bad name, although Detroit Lions certainly sounds more intimidating than Detroit Spartans.
16. Ohio. Portsmouth, Ohio, to be precise.
17. Detroit Tigers. Baseball dominated the city’s sports headlines, and Richards wanted a little attention for his football team.
18. 94 radio stations. Richards arranged for NBC Radio to broadcast the game nationally.
19. University of Detroit Stadium. The game sold out its approximately 26,000 available seats.
20. Chicago Bears. Detroit’s 14–2 victory was part of a championship season. The Lions went on to win the 1935 NFL title.

Round 2 score: _____ / 10

Fun fact: The Lions’ first Thanksgiving game reportedly attracted so much interest that thousands more fans would have attended if seats had been available.

Even in 1934, people were willing to forgo household chores to attend a football game.

Round 3: Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Trivia

The Motor City Main Course

The Detroit Lions have hosted more Thanksgiving games than any other NFL franchise.

For generations of Detroit fans, Thanksgiving has meant gathering with family, watching the Lions, and occasionally wondering whether dessert should be served before halftime.

Detroit’s holiday history includes Hall of Famers, spectacular performances, unforgettable wins, and enough heartbreaking losses to make a grown man ask for another helping of pie.

Questions

21. Since what year have the Detroit Lions played on Thanksgiving every season without interruption?
22. During which six-season period did Detroit’s Thanksgiving tradition pause?
23. Which team faced Barry Sanders and the Lions on Thanksgiving in 1997?
24. How many rushing touchdowns did Barry Sanders score in that 1997 Thanksgiving game?
25. How many points did the Lions score in their 1997 Thanksgiving victory over Chicago?
26. Which AFC team lost to Detroit in a controversial overtime Thanksgiving game in 1998?
27. Which Detroit kicker booted the game-winning field goal in that 1998 overtime victory?
28. Which NFC North rival did Detroit defeat on Thanksgiving in 2024, ending a seven-game Thanksgiving losing streak?
29. What was the final score of Detroit’s 2024 Thanksgiving victory?
30. Which team defeated the Lions 31–24 on Thanksgiving in 2025?

Explore the history of the NFL.

Round 3 Answers

21. 1945. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving every season since World War II ended.
22. 1939 through 1944. The tradition resumed in 1945 and has continued ever since.
23. Chicago Bears. Detroit turned the Bears into Thanksgiving leftovers that afternoon.
24. Three touchdowns. Sanders also rushed for 167 yards. Watching him run was like watching someone attempt to tackle a gust of wind.
25. 55 points. Detroit demolished Chicago 55–20.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers. The Lions won 19–16 in overtime, although the controversial coin toss remains the part everyone remembers.
27. Jason Hanson. His 42-yard field goal ended the game.
28. Chicago Bears. Detroit finally broke its holiday losing streak with a dramatic victory.
29. Detroit 23, Chicago 20. The Bears staged a comeback but ran out of time in spectacularly frustrating fashion.
30. Green Bay Packers. Green Bay won 31–24, spoiling the Lions’ holiday gathering in 2025.

Round 3 score: _____ / 10

Lions fans deserve special recognition. Watching your team every Thanksgiving requires loyalty, patience, and the emotional resilience of someone who has survived several decades of NFC North football.

Round 4: Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Trivia Questions

America’s Team Meets America’s Holiday

The Dallas Cowboys joined the Thanksgiving football party in 1966.

Tex Schramm, Dallas’s visionary general manager, recognized the promotional value of a national holiday game. The Cowboys soon became a Thanksgiving institution, complete with famous victories, memorable performances, and the occasional catastrophe.

Dallas fans have learned to enjoy the holiday’s emotional roller coaster.

Just don’t schedule dessert immediately after a missed field goal.

Questions

31. In what year did the Dallas Cowboys begin regularly playing on Thanksgiving?
32. Which team did the Cowboys defeat in their first Thanksgiving game?
33. What was the final score of Dallas’s first Thanksgiving victory in 1966?
34. Which famous Cowboys executive helped bring Thanksgiving football to Dallas?
35. Which franchise replaced Dallas as a Thanksgiving host in 1975 and 1977?
36. Which Hall of Fame Cowboys quarterback was injured during the famous Thanksgiving comeback game in 1974?
37. What backup quarterback replaced him and became an unlikely Thanksgiving hero?
38. Which Cowboys receiver caught the dramatic 50-yard winning touchdown pass in that 1974 game?
39. Which Florida team defeated Dallas in the famous snowy Thanksgiving game of 1993?
40. Which Dallas defensive player accidentally helped Miami recover a blocked field-goal attempt in that game?

Get all of your facts straight, starting with Football Field Dimensions.

Round 4 Answers

31. 1966. Dallas’s holiday debut helped establish a tradition that has survived generations of hairstyles, coaches, and quarterback controversies.
32. Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys earned their first Thanksgiving victory against Cleveland.
33. Dallas 26, Cleveland 14. More than 80,000 tickets were sold for the occasion.
34. Tex Schramm. One of professional football’s great promoters, Schramm understood television and the value of building traditions.
35. St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals hosted Thanksgiving games in 1975 and 1977 before Dallas reclaimed its regular spot.
36. Roger Staubach. The legendary quarterback was knocked out of the 1974 game against Washington.
37. Clint Longley. A little-known rookie backup, Longley came off the bench and led a remarkable comeback.
38. Drew Pearson. Longley found Pearson for a 50-yard touchdown with 28 seconds remaining, giving Dallas a 24–23 victory.
39. Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins won 16–14 in a snowstorm at Texas Stadium.
40. Leon Lett. Lett attempted to recover the blocked kick, but his touch helped give Miami another opportunity. The Dolphins made the winning field goal.

Round 4 score: _____ / 10

The lesson of Round 4: Never touch a blocked field goal unnecessarily.

And if you do, avoid doing it on national television.

Round 5: Famous Thanksgiving Football Players and Performances

The Hall of Fame Helpings Round

Some football players perform their best when the nation is watching.

Others apparently draw inspiration from the smell of roasting turkey.

Thanksgiving has produced remarkable individual performances, including record-breaking rushing efforts, passing exhibitions, and receiving performances that look almost fictional.

Let’s see how well you remember the stars.

Questions

41. How many rushing yards did O.J. Simpson gain on Thanksgiving in 1976, setting a holiday record?
42. Which NFL team did Simpson play for during that record-setting performance?
43. Which team defeated Simpson’s club despite his incredible rushing total?
44. Which rookie wide receiver scored three touchdowns on only three receptions against Dallas on Thanksgiving in 1998?
45. Which NFL team did that receiver represent?
46. How many passes did he catch in that famous game?
47. How many receiving touchdowns did he score?
48. Which Indianapolis Colts quarterback threw six touchdown passes against Detroit on Thanksgiving in 2004?
49. Which Miami Dolphins quarterback also threw six Thanksgiving touchdown passes in 1977?
50. Which Dallas Cowboys quarterback threw for 455 yards against Minnesota on Thanksgiving in 1998?

Round 5 Answers

41. 273 yards. Simpson produced one of the most extraordinary rushing performances in NFL history.
42. Buffalo Bills. Simpson was one of football’s most explosive running backs during the 1970s.
43. Detroit Lions. Buffalo lost 27–14. Imagine rushing for 273 yards and discovering your team’s offense still wasn’t enough.
44. Randy Moss. The Minnesota rookie put on one of the most electrifying receiving performances ever seen on Thanksgiving.
45. Minnesota Vikings. Dallas had famously passed on Moss in the 1998 NFL Draft. Thanksgiving offered Moss an opportunity to remind the Cowboys of that decision.
46. Three catches. That’s right. Three.
47. Three touchdowns. Moss totaled 163 receiving yards. Every reception was a touchdown. Some receivers are pleased with a 100-yard game; Moss apparently considered that an appetizer.
48. Peyton Manning. Manning threw six touchdown passes as Indianapolis crushed Detroit 41–9.
49. Bob Griese. The Dolphins quarterback threw six touchdown passes against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977.
50. Troy Aikman. Dallas’s Hall of Fame quarterback threw for 455 yards against Minnesota in 1998, but the Vikings won 46–36.

Round 5 score: _____ / 10

A fascinating statistical note: Randy Moss caught only three passes that afternoon, yet somehow managed to finish with more touchdowns than most receivers do over several games.

Efficiency experts everywhere applauded.

Cowboys fans did not.

Round 6: Funny, Weird, and Unbelievable Thanksgiving Football Trivia

The Gravy Spill Round

Football is a complicated game. Coaches carry playbooks resembling engineering manuals. Players study film for hours. Officials memorize rules that occasionally seem to have been written by attorneys.

And then somebody runs into his own teammate’s backside.

Thanksgiving football has supplied enough bizarre moments to keep blooper reels operating for decades.

This round celebrates those occasions when the NFL briefly resembled a slapstick comedy.

Questions

51. Which New York Jets quarterback committed the infamous Butt Fumble on Thanksgiving in 2012?
52. What was the name of the Jets offensive lineman whose backside the quarterback collided with?
53. Which team recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown?
54. Which Pittsburgh Steelers running back was at the center of the controversial overtime coin toss in Detroit on Thanksgiving in 1998?
55. What was the name of the referee involved in that disputed coin toss?
56. Following the 1998 coin-toss controversy, the NFL changed its procedure so captains would call heads or tails before or after the coin was tossed.
57. Which Detroit Lions head coach accidentally prevented a disputed touchdown from being reviewed by throwing his challenge flag in 2012?
58. Which Houston Texans running back scored the controversial 81-yard touchdown on that play?
59. Which Pittsburgh Steelers head coach was fined after stepping near the field during a Baltimore kickoff return on Thanksgiving in 2013?
60. Which Baltimore Ravens player had to alter his path around that coach during the kickoff return?

Round 6 Answers

51. Mark Sanchez. A perfectly ordinary football play became one of the most replayed bloopers in NFL history.
52. Brandon Moore. Moore was simply doing his job as an offensive lineman when Sanchez approached from a very unfortunate direction.
53. New England Patriots. Safety Steve Gregory recovered the ball and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
54. Jerome Bettis. The Steelers running back and referee disagreed about his call of the overtime coin toss.
55. Phil Luckett. The controversy became so famous that it prompted a change to NFL coin-toss procedures.
56. Before the toss. Previously, the captain was supposed to call while the coin was airborne. The change made the procedure much easier to understand.
57. Jim Schwartz. Detroit’s head coach threw his challenge flag after a controversial touchdown, inadvertently triggering a rule that prevented the automatic scoring-play review.
58. Justin Forsett. The Houston running back continued running despite appearing to have been down by contact. His 81-yard touchdown stood.
59. Mike Tomlin. The Steelers coach was fined $100,000 following the sideline incident.
60. Jacoby Jones. The Ravens returner had to maneuver around Tomlin during a long kickoff return.

Round 6 score: _____ / 10

This round proves an important truth about football: No matter how well prepared a team might be, strange things can happen.

Especially when someone throws a challenge flag at precisely the wrong moment.

Round 7: Memorable Thanksgiving NFL Games

The Instant Replay Round

Some Thanksgiving games become classics because of incredible performances.

Others are remembered for shocking comebacks, last-second field goals, or a team managing to lose in a way nobody thought possible.

The following questions span more than five decades of Thanksgiving football.

Questions

61. What was the final score of the famous 1974 Dallas comeback victory against Washington?
62. Which Chicago Bears player returned the opening overtime kickoff for a winning touchdown against Detroit on Thanksgiving in 1980?
63. Which team defeated Detroit 34–31 in overtime on Thanksgiving in 2012?
64. Which team defeated Green Bay 17–13 at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving in 2015?
65. Which Detroit Lions kicker made the game-winning field goal against Minnesota as time expired on Thanksgiving in 2016?
66. Which team defeated Detroit 28–25 in a close Thanksgiving game in 2022?
67. Which team won the Thanksgiving night game between Minnesota and New England in 2022?
68. Which Green Bay Packers quarterback threw three touchdown passes in the Packers’ 29–22 Thanksgiving victory over the Detroit Lions in 2023?
69. Which team won the heavily watched Thanksgiving matchup between Dallas and Kansas City in 2025?
70. Which AFC North team defeated Baltimore 32–14 on Thanksgiving night in 2025?

Round 7 Answers

61. Dallas 24, Washington 23. Clint Longley’s unlikely heroics helped turn an apparent defeat into one of Thanksgiving’s most famous comebacks.
62. Dave Williams. Williams returned the overtime kickoff for a touchdown, giving Chicago a 23–17 victory. The Bears apparently decided overtime was taking too long.
63. Houston Texans. The Texans won a wild game that included Justin Forsett’s controversial touchdown.
64. Chicago Bears. The Bears upset the Packers on a night that also featured a ceremony honoring Brett Favre.
65. Matt Prater. Prater kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired, giving Detroit a 16–13 victory over Minnesota.
66. Buffalo Bills. The Bills escaped Detroit with a 28–25 win.
67. Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota defeated New England 33–26, providing Vikings fans a particularly satisfying second helping of Thanksgiving football.
68. Jordan Love. Love threw three touchdown passes in an impressive performance for Green Bay.
69. Dallas Cowboys. Dallas defeated Kansas City 31–28 in a game that attracted approximately 57.2 million viewers, an NFL regular-season television audience record.
70. Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati defeated Baltimore 32–14 in the Thanksgiving nightcap.

Round 7 score: _____ / 10

Thanksgiving games have a way of becoming family landmarks.

You may forget where you spent Thanksgiving in 2016, but you can probably remember exactly where you were when your team missed that fourth-quarter field goal.

Football has a peculiar effect on the human memory.

Round 8: Thanksgiving Turkey Legs, Television, and Football Traditions

The Turducken Round

Thanksgiving football wouldn’t be the same without television.

Broadcasters have turned the holiday into a national celebration, complete with oversized turkey legs, unusual food creations, and enough commercials to convince you that every American desperately needs a new truck.

Nobody embraced Thanksgiving football more enthusiastically than legendary coach and broadcaster John Madden.

He helped make the holiday feel like a giant family gathering, with a football game conveniently taking place in the middle of dinner.

Questions

71. Which legendary football coach and broadcaster popularized the Thanksgiving Turkey Leg Award?
72. In what year did the Turkey Leg Award tradition begin?
73. Which Hall of Fame defensive player received the first Turkey Leg Award?
74. Which NFL team did that first Turkey Leg Award recipient play for?
75. What three types of poultry are combined to create the famous turducken?
76. In what year did the NFL begin regularly scheduling a third Thanksgiving Day game in prime time?
77. Which two teams played in that first modern Thanksgiving night game?
78. Which team hosted that first regular Thanksgiving night game?
79. In what year did the NFL introduce its Black Friday game?
80. Which two teams played in the first NFL Black Friday game?

Round 8 Answers

71. John Madden. The Hall of Fame coach and beloved broadcaster was almost as enthusiastic about Thanksgiving food as he was about football.
72. 1989. Madden began the tradition during a Thanksgiving game between Philadelphia and Dallas.
73. Reggie White. The Eagles defensive superstar received the inaugural turkey leg following Philadelphia’s 27–0 victory.
74. Philadelphia Eagles. White was one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history.
75. Turkey, duck, and chicken. A turducken combines a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. It’s essentially a Russian nesting doll for people who enjoy poultry.
76. 2006. The NFL added a regular Thanksgiving night game, creating the modern three-game holiday schedule.
77. Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. The AFC West rivals helped launch the nighttime Thanksgiving tradition.
78. Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs defeated Denver 19–10.
79. 2023. The NFL expanded its holiday football offerings to the Friday after Thanksgiving.
80. Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. Miami won the inaugural Black Friday game 34–13.

Round 8 score: _____ / 10

John Madden’s influence on Thanksgiving football was extraordinary.

He made football analysis accessible, celebrated outstanding players, and introduced millions of viewers to the possibility of stuffing multiple birds inside one another.

That’s a remarkable broadcasting legacy.

Round 9: Thanksgiving Football Trivia for 2026

The Fresh-from-the-Oven Round

Thanksgiving football is getting an extra helping in 2026.

For the first time, the NFL has scheduled a Thanksgiving Eve game, adding Wednesday-night football to the familiar Thursday tripleheader and Friday showcase.

That’s five holiday-week games across three consecutive days, before the rest of Sunday’s schedule even begins.

Anyone hoping to spend the entire holiday weekend watching football has been handed a very generous gift.

Here’s a look at the official 2026 Thanksgiving football lineup.

2026 Thanksgiving Week NFL Schedule

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	Where to watch
Wed., Nov. 25	Packers at Rams	8:00 p.m.	Netflix
Thu., Nov. 26	Bears at Lions	1:00 p.m.	CBS
Thu., Nov. 26	Eagles at Cowboys	4:30 p.m.	FOX
Thu., Nov. 26	Chiefs at Bills	8:20 p.m.	NBC
Fri., Nov. 27	Broncos at Steelers	3:00 p.m.	Prime Video

Schedule according to the NFL’s announced 2026 regular-season lineup.

Now, let’s find out whether you’ve been paying attention.

Questions

81. Which two teams will play the first NFL Thanksgiving Eve game on November 25, 2026?
82. What stadium will host the Thanksgiving Eve game?
83. Which streaming service will carry that Wednesday-night matchup?
84. Which NFC North team will visit the Detroit Lions in the first Thanksgiving Day game of 2026?
85. What time Eastern will the Lions’ Thanksgiving game begin?
86. Which NFC East rivalry will be featured in the late-afternoon Thanksgiving game on FOX?
87. Which two AFC teams will play in the Thanksgiving night game on NBC?
88. Which city will host that Thanksgiving night matchup?
89. Which two teams will play in the NFL’s 2026 Black Friday game?
90. Which streaming service will carry that Black Friday matchup?

Round 9 Answers

81. Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams. The Packers travel west to face the Rams in the first Thanksgiving Eve game.
82. SoFi Stadium. The Rams’ home stadium in Inglewood, California, will host the contest.
83. Netflix. The streaming service will carry the Wednesday-night game.
84. Chicago Bears. Detroit welcomes its longtime division rival for the 1 p.m. Eastern kickoff.
85. 1:00 p.m. ET. That’s noon in the Central time zone, for those enjoying an early Thanksgiving meal in Chicago or elsewhere in the Midwest.
86. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys. Two NFC East rivals meet in the 4:30 p.m. Eastern game.
87. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen give the league an appealing holiday-night quarterback matchup.
88. Buffalo, New York. The Bills host Kansas City at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
89. Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. The teams meet Friday, November 27.
90. Prime Video. Amazon’s streaming platform carries the Black Friday game.

Round 9 score: _____ / 10

Five games over three days.

Between the football, the leftovers, and the Thanksgiving desserts, this might be the least productive stretch of the American calendar.

And we’re perfectly comfortable with that.

Round 10: Hard Thanksgiving Football Trivia Questions for True NFL Experts

The Hall of Fame Dessert Round

Congratulations. You’ve reached the championship round.

The following questions are designed for serious football fans, historians, trivia enthusiasts, and anyone who knows the NFL existed long before the Super Bowl.

These aren’t questions you can necessarily answer by watching a few Sunday highlights.

We’re going deep into football’s past.

At stake: 10 points, family bragging rights, and a possible lifetime exemption from washing Thanksgiving dinner dishes.

Questions

91. In what year did NFL teams first play Thanksgiving Day games?
92. Which two teams participated in a Thanksgiving matchup in that inaugural 1920 NFL season that ended 7–0?
93. Which team won that game?
94. Which legendary Chicago Cardinals player scored six rushing touchdowns on Thanksgiving in 1929?
95. Which NFL franchise did that player represent?
96. At which Chicago ballpark did the Cardinals defeat the Bears 40–6 in that historic 1929 Thanksgiving game?
97. What was the final score of the Thanksgiving game between the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals in 1925?
98. At which famous Chicago ballpark was that 1925 game played?
99. Which Cleveland Rams receiver gained an astonishing 303 receiving yards against Detroit on Thanksgiving in 1945?
100. Which Houston Oilers running back rushed for 195 yards against Dallas on Thanksgiving in 1979?

Round 10 Answers

91. 1920. Thanksgiving games date back to the NFL’s inaugural season, although the league wasn’t yet known by its present name.
92. Akron Pros and Canton Bulldogs. Both teams were members of the young professional football league.
93. Akron Pros. Akron defeated Canton 7–0. Apparently, offensive fireworks were not on the holiday menu.
94. Ernie Nevers. The Hall of Fame back scored six rushing touchdowns against the Bears.
95. Chicago Cardinals. Nevers scored all 40 of his team’s points, adding four extra-point kicks to his six touchdowns.
96. Comiskey Park. The Cardinals defeated the Bears 40–6 at the famous Chicago ballpark.
97. 0–0. The teams played a scoreless tie before an enormous crowd. Imagine spending your Thanksgiving afternoon watching two professional teams combine for zero points.
98. Wrigley Field. More than 30,000 fans attended the game, which featured the famous Red Grange.
99. Jim Benton. The Cleveland Rams receiver piled up 303 yards against the Lions. That was an extraordinary performance in an era when the forward pass was still developing into the weapon it is today.
100. Earl Campbell. The Houston Oilers superstar ran for 195 yards against the Cowboys. Campbell was built like a bulldozer and frequently treated defenders like unfortunate landscaping.

Round 10 score: _____ / 10

And that’s the final whistle!

If you answered all 10 correctly in this round, congratulations. You’re either an exceptional football historian or have been secretly reading the Pro Football Hall of Fame archives during dinner.

Either way, we’re impressed.

Your Thanksgiving Football Trivia Scorecard

Let’s see how you performed.

Round	Category	Your score
1	Easy Thanksgiving Football Trivia	___ / 10
2	Thanksgiving NFL History	___ / 10
3	Detroit Lions Trivia	___ / 10
4	Dallas Cowboys Trivia	___ / 10
5	Famous Players and Performances	___ / 10
6	Funny and Bizarre Football Moments	___ / 10
7	Memorable Thanksgiving Games	___ / 10
8	Turkey Legs and TV Traditions	___ / 10
9	Thanksgiving Football 2026	___ / 10
10	Hard Thanksgiving Trivia	___ / 10
TOTAL	Ultimate Turkey Day Challenge	___ / 100

Remember, knowledge is its own reward.

Although a homemade trophy and first choice of Thanksgiving desserts wouldn’t hurt.

Free Printable Thanksgiving Football Trivia: 25-Question Family Challenge

Want to play a shorter game while dinner is cooking?

We’ve also prepared a printable 25-question Thanksgiving football trivia challenge that works for family gatherings, school activities, office parties, or a friendly halftime contest.

The printable includes:

• 25 questions drawn from the full challenge
• A mix of easy, medium, and difficult questions
• Spaces to write answers
• A separate answer key
• A simple scoring system

For family competitions, have everyone complete the same sheet before revealing the answers.

One point for each correct response. No partial credit for getting the wrong member of the Manning family.

Suggested scoring for the printable challenge:

• 22–25 correct: Gridiron Genius
• 17–21 correct: Turkey Bowl Captain
• 10–16 correct: Solid Starter
• 0–9 correct: You Brought Excellent Pie

It’s an especially good activity for the 20 minutes before kickoff, when everybody is gathered around the television, and nobody wants to help peel potatoes.

Download your 25 Questions Thanksgiving Football Quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Football Trivia

Why do the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving?

The Detroit Lions began playing on Thanksgiving in 1934, when team owner George A. Richards scheduled a holiday game against the Chicago Bears to generate publicity and increase attendance.

The game was a success, attracting a sellout crowd and national radio coverage. Detroit has played every Thanksgiving since 1945.

Why do the Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving every year?

The Cowboys began their Thanksgiving tradition in 1966, largely through the promotional efforts of general manager Tex Schramm.

Dallas wanted the national exposure that came with a holiday football game. The idea worked so well that Thanksgiving became a permanent fixture on the Cowboys’ schedule, with the exceptions of 1975 and 1977.

Who has scored the most touchdowns in one NFL Thanksgiving game?

Ernie Nevers scored six rushing touchdowns for the Chicago Cardinals against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving in 1929.

He also kicked four extra points, accounting for all 40 of his team’s points.

His six rushing touchdowns remain tied to one of the NFL’s oldest individual single-game records.

What is the most famous Thanksgiving football blooper?

The answer is subjective, but two moments stand above most others.

Leon Lett’s attempt to recover a blocked field goal in the snow cost Dallas dearly against Miami in 1993.

Mark Sanchez’s infamous Butt Fumble against New England in 2012 became one of football’s most widely replayed mishaps.

Both incidents demonstrate that Thanksgiving is not always a day of professional perfection.

Who started the Thanksgiving Turkey Leg Award?

Legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden began the tradition in 1989.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive star Reggie White received the first turkey leg following a victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Madden’s enthusiasm for football, food, and colorful Thanksgiving traditions helped make the holiday broadcasts special.

How many NFL football games are being played on Thanksgiving in 2026?

Three games are scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026.

The day begins with Chicago at Detroit, continues with Philadelphia at Dallas, and concludes with Kansas City at Buffalo.

The league has also scheduled Green Bay at Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Eve and Denver at Pittsburgh on Black Friday.

How can families play Thanksgiving football trivia?

The easiest approach is to divide the family into two or more teams, appoint a quizmaster, and award one point for every correct answer.

Use shorter rounds for children and more difficult rounds for serious football fans.

Our printable 25-question challenge is another option for families that want a quicker game between dinner and kickoff.

Final Thoughts: Football, Family, and a Little Friendly Competition

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday because it brings people together around a few great American traditions: family, food, football, and arguing about whether the quarterback should have thrown the ball on third down.

A good Thanksgiving football trivia challenge adds another ingredient to the celebration. It gives grandparents a chance to recall the glory days of Johnny Unitas and Barry Sanders. It gives younger fans an opportunity to show off their knowledge of today’s NFL stars. And it gives everybody a chance to laugh at some of football’s wonderfully strange history.

Because for every unforgettable touchdown, there seems to be a memorable fumble. For every brilliant game-winning play, there’s a coach wondering why he threw that challenge flag. And for every Thanksgiving football expert, there’s a family member who couldn’t care less about the score but knows exactly when the pumpkin pie will be ready.

Enjoy the games, appreciate the company, and don’t take the competition too seriously. Unless you’re the reigning family trivia champion. Then, naturally, your reputation is on the line.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may your team win, your turkey stay moist, and your fantasy football lineup avoid injury.

Sources and historical references: The trivia and game records in this article were checked against the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Thanksgiving football history, NFL Thanksgiving Day game records, NFL classic Thanksgiving games, and the official NFL Football Operations 2026 schedule announcement.

By Mike O’Halloran

Founder and Editor, Sports Feel Good Stories

Mike O’Halloran founded Sports Feel Good Stories in 2009. He has authored three books on sports jokes, co-authored four trivia books, and authored three books on basketball coaching. Mike has also written a book on sports slogans and captions. He coached youth basketball for 15 seasons, taught tennis, and was a contributing writer for USA Football, the youth arm of the NFL.

Mike is the publisher of the Well-Prepared Coach line of coaches’ practice plans and editable award certificates. He is the founder of the Fantasy Football Team Names Hall of Fame. Mike is married with four children.

You are on our Thanksgiving Football Trivia Challenge.

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